Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela said his side lacked confidence and that is why they played to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Platinum Stars in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday night.
The draw hands Chiefs their first point in the league after losing their opening league game against Bidvest Wits.
“I think for whatever reason we did not have confidence,” said Komphela.
“You know how results are, when results are not coming it does knock your confidence. Any athlete can tell you they are as good as their confidence.”
When referring to the match itself, Komphela felt his side started slowly and it cost them on the night.
“I thought we picked up very late,” added the Amakhosi coach. "One thing we struggled with is to fight for the first ball or pick up the second ball and start playing from there.
“What I saw to be happening consistently as soon as we regained the ball and wanted to be on a transition going forward, we made a wrong pass or made a wrong decision.
“When you are desperate it is not easy to make good decisions, but they fought hard. I would say we take a point but the people deserve better.”
Platinum Stars’ opening goal was a controversial one as Robert N’gambi’s strike did not appear to cross the goalline, but Komphela says that one must respect the officials and their decisions.
“I think one has to respect the game and to give benefit to the officials,” continued Komphela.
“As much as I was on the bench I think the assistant referee should have been in line with the goal. I didn’t see it. I still have to go to the monitor and see what happened.”
Referring to his side’s poor run of form which has continued from last season, the Amakhosi mentor offered no real explanation.
“The biggest challenge when you are on a project is that it doesn’t come together at once,” explained Komphela.
“In the process of getting things there is a lot of setbacks you suffer as now we have to get the team playing and winning.
“Then we can start outlining finer details. If I were to tell you regarding the previous matches who performed, we would not just get into the final and finish.
“Against Platinum Stars we did not have that confidence to play. You cannot refer to this match for what we want to do.
“There is still a lot of work to be done. “
